AN ATTEMPT to inform residents about a planning application to build 2,500 homes on Grove Airfield has been “a fiasco and a nightmare”, according to a leading county councillor.

The Vale of White Horse District Council informed more than 800 Grove residents of the plan in a letter.

But it contained the wrong deadline date for residents to comment and a telephone number which did not work.

Residents were told in the letter they could view the plans in all the neighbouring parishes – but they were not told they could see the plans at the parish council office in Grove.

County councillor for Grove Zoe Patrick, who is leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the county council, said: “It has been a fiasco and a nightmare.

“On Tuesday (October 30) I received a letter from the Vale council saying an amended plan had been released.

“First of all it said the consultation deadline was November 12, but the actual date is November 30.

“But what worried me about the plan was the amendments to realign the northern link road.”

Mrs Patrick said she was concerned residents had not been properly consulted about a revised route which would give access to the new estate from the A338.

Developers Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes have put in a joint application to develop the site.

Vale council spokesman Gavin Walton said: “Unfortunately, as a result of a computer error, an incorrect contact number and consultation end date were included on this letter.

“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience and confusion that this caused.

“A new letter was sent out on Tuesday to all interested parties with the correct dates and contact details.”

The plans have now been made available to all parish councils in the Wantage and Grove area.

  • The application, number P12/VO299/O can also be viewed at whitehorsedc.gov.uk or call planning officer Mike Gilbert on 01235 540313.